Hot Water

Late last night, I discovered a leaky water pipe. The leak wasn't too bad, but the hubby and I decided it was best to shut off the hot water to the house, just to keep it from getting any worse. Now as anyone can tell you, I am not a high-maintenance woman. In fact, I see little setbacks like this as an opportunity to test my pioneer spirit. No dishwasher? I'm glad to wash 'em by hand. No clothes dryer? I'll hang 'em out on the line with a grin on my grill and a song in my heart. But no hot water? This one's been a little challenging. I had breakfast dishes to do this morning. So I pulled out my big ol' bean pot, filled it with water, and boiled it on the stove. Now the "pioneer" way of doing it would have been to build a fire, fill a cast iron pot with water, and boil it over an open flame. Let's not get crazy, though. I poured the boiling water into the sink, added a little soap, and then ran the cold water in there until it was cool enough not to take the skin off my hands. That all worked very well. But what about a shower? I'm not high-maintenance, but I just cannot go a day without a bath or shower. CANNOT! So I decided to do the same thing for a bath. Boil the water, pour it in the tub, add some cold, and voila! Ye Olde Medeival Bath! I imagine I'll do the same thing for mopping the floors, and the other general cleaning that has to be done. But it's times like this that make me really appreciate life's little conveniences. Sure, I can go on like this for a day, two days, maybe even a week. But after that, it would get HIGHLY irritating! And what if I didn't have electricity to boil the water on the stove? What if I was without cold water as well? I'm sure I could do it. After all, we humans are more resourceful than we think during times of crisis. But I wouldn't like it. Not one little bit. So today, I am thankful for hot water...when I have it.